Top Drawer wants to get into the minds of Asheville’s notable fashion forecasters, trendsetters and style icons. In this series, we ask boutique owners and designers what inspires them and what tips they have to pass along. Here, R. Brooke Priddy, creator of Ship to Shore (426 Haywood Road, West Asheville, 242-1378) introduces us to … Read more
Asheville’s arts and culture mavens are buzzing about HATCHfest, a multifaceted festival set to make its debut here in the spring of 2009. Hatching a festival: The first annual Asheville HATCHfest is more than a year away, but plans for the mammoth arts and cultural festival are underway. Above, a scene from the recent launch … Read more
Ever since we led a protest rite against Buncombe County officials’ sale of public parkland graced by a pair of magestic old magnolia trees to developer Stewart Coleman, the über-Republican Carolina Stompers have aimed religiously bigoted attacks at our Coven Oldenwilde—first through a video ridiculing City Council candidate Elaine Lite for participating in the protest, … Read more
Staples displayed the proposed design changes for its Merrimon Avenue façade in a Jan. 28 press conference called by company executives and Mayor Terry Bellamy. Both camps aim to settle another festering issue in the long-running and often acrimonious debate about the city’s interpretation and enforcement of the Unified Development Ordinance. Staples and Greenlife Grocery … Read more
Any shrink worth his couch will tell you that healthy relationships require compromise. And for spouses or long-time cohabitants, middle ground is often fought for in the most dispiriting of theaters. Like the bathroom. (“I’ll close the toilet lid if you stop using my razor to shave your legs.”) Or the basement. (“I’ll throw out … Read more
In our technologically advanced nation, most of us take for granted an instant and copious stream of clean water from the moment we turn on our faucets. But in the backcountry, getting water—especially clean water—can present a host of challenges. Don’t drink the water?: Even a waterfall could be home to giardia or similar nasties. … Read more
Walk this way: If you’re curious about the future of trails and greenspace in Buncombe County, visit the county Web site (www.buncombecounty.org) and have a gander at the draft map of these areas. If you’ve got your own ideas of where you’d like to see trails wind or open space left open, contact Linda Giltz … Read more
Got the post-holiday blues? Then Happy New Year! That’s right, it’s time to celebrate the Chinese new year (2008, by the way, is Year of the Rat). On Wed., Feb. 6, Asheville’s China Palace will celebrate with a special buffet and a celebration including a traditional Lion Dance. Cost is $12.95 per person; dinner will … Read more
The letter writer highlighting “Mumpower’s Discrimination is Showing” [Jan. 30] was correct. I have this nagging inner voice that tells me to discriminate against political correctness, bullying by special interests, and those who confuse freedom of religion with freedom from religion. As regards retaining the name “Christmas Parade,” the facts tell us that most folks … Read more
I recently noticed they have an informational pamphlet at Earth Fare about the environmental advantages of plastic bags over their paper counterparts. The true solution to this debate is to offer no bags at all to the customers—or in the case of the demanding yet uncaring yuppie, charge them a dollar a bag for each … Read more
